Remembering

September 11, 2001 was a devastating day. I saw my high school, located 17 miles from Manhattan, fall apart. Teachers and students running through the halls hysterically crying. Students scared for their parents safety. Anxiety and fear beyond anything I'd ever seen before or since that day. Everyone left. Many parents came into the school looking for their kids. I met my mom halfway down the main hall and we went home. We were worried about my dad, but I'll say now- he was fine.

My dad worked in Jersey City.. he had a clear view of the twin towers out of his office windows. He called my mom immediately after the first plane hit and as he was on the phone with her he watched the 2nd plane crash through the 2nd tower. He sent everyone home from work and he started the long journey back to long island through Manhattan.

It makes me so sad to think back to that day, but I do because the people that were lost deserve to be remembered and honored. And so do their families and friends. And of course, the heroes who came to the rescue that day.

In the days that followed I remember having a very strong feeling of American pride. We, as a country, stood together and we did not and will not give into terrorism.

These are a couple of photos from before the attacks. Marissa and I posing with the twin towers during the summer of 2000 and a little snapshot that I took at the top of the North Tower sometime during 1997 or so. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to dine at the restaurant, Windows on the World, with my family.

In the words of my sister- because she said it so much better than I would have-
Let's never forget the lives lost that day and the beautiful heroes who put their own lives at risk to help others.